ISLAMABAD: Peace talks were declared as the top priority with regards to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) at the first ever meeting of the National Security Committee in Islamabad on Tuesday, Express News reported.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The discussions were focused on three key issues: formulation of National Security Strategy to safeguard the national interests; strategy on internal security and relations with Afghanistan.

Issues

The committee agreed that the economic development and prosperity of the people is dependent on ensuring security and approved a number of measures concerning enhancement of security on western border, development of FATA and other bordering areas to bring them at par with the national standards.

It directed the concerned ministries to take measures to facilitate regional peace and stability.

The leadership deliberated upon the government’s strategy to engage various groups of Taliban in order to curb extremism and militancy.

Consensus was also developed to have effective security along the international borders to stop illegal transportation.

It was also decided that Pakistan would cooperate with Afghanistan and help in the ongoing reconciliation process with Afghan Taliban.

Attendees

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Asif Sandeela, Chief of Air Force Tahir Rafiq, defence secretary, foreign secretary, interior secretary and director general (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were present at the meeting.

Pathetic…We have never won a war!, we lost against India and now against the Mullahs. Why are we spending so much of our GDP on our military?. It might be better to divert the money elsewhere such as education or dams

“The issue of drone attacks and relations with the United States were also discussed” Really! What was the outcome? Any steps taken or just talk and talk and more talks. Will the Government tell the people what is the stumbling block? Is it still the Government policy to publicly denounce the drone attacks and then continue to support the US policy of interference and dictation to the Government and the Army? When will the Government come out of the clutches of US and assert its independence?

If Pakistani lives are sacrificed for the flawed, backward, failed, stubborn and unproductive policy of strategic depth so be it. The thing is when there is no check on military power, there is no one to tell them to stop.

If it were up to Commanders, the U.S. would still have 150,000 troops in Afghanistan.

Whether it’s peace talks or energy – govt of Pakistan seems to do nothing other than make press announcements. How difficult is it to have a conversation with your enemy, how many months/years does it take to start a dialogue? It’s unlikely the peace discussions will go anywhere but that’s no excuse for not starting them.

Though this picture is displayed all over Pakistan but his vision of a progressive Pakistan for Muslims and others living peacefully in this country has gone terribly wrong, since the policies started by Gen Zia of hatred, sectarianism, fanaticism and using terror as a state tool are being followed explicitly since many a decades. Either the vision and policies of Jinnah should be practiced, or his picture should be replaced with that of General Zia.

The ultimate goal is for a peaceful resolution for all things concerning the region. The people of Afghanistan and Pakistan have suffered from the effects of wars for almost three decades now. No one can deny that in the last decade thing are improving for the better in the region. I do not deny that terrorism is still an issue we are dealing with. Cross border cooperation is needed to curb the thru and from flow of the terrorists. Pakistan and Afghanistan have to work together to uplift the state of the “common man” in the region. We have sacrificed together to make the region safer for everyone. We need to continue with our efforts relentlessly, so future generation, when they look back, look at us with respect and reverence.

I think you should read the history well, Pakistan won 2 wars against India, but lost in 1971,check wikipedia and other neutral sources. Even Indian army generals accept that Pakistan army has more capability to fight at night.